Can closing machine



1939. J H, H 2,144,634.

CAN CLOSING MACHINE Filed July 17, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Jan. 24, 1939 V UNITED STATES- PATENT orrlca can CLOSING mom 4 John H. Murch, East Orange, N. 1., amino:- to

American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 1'7, 1935, Serial-No. 313913 9Qlaims.

to provide clearance, spaces or fluid passages between the container flange or edge and a subsequently positioned cover, the clearance being ut1 lized in subsequent operations performed on the 15 container, such as vacuumizing or gassing operations.

Another object is the provision of such a mechanism. which is readily adapted-for association with a feeding mechanism and which prepares a 29 flange of a filled container to, be vacuumized or gassed so as to permit rapid and uniform vacuumizing or gassing of the container interior whilethe cover loosely engages the container flange and prevents escape of the container con- 25 tents.

Another object is the provision in a filled container closing machine of such 'a flange indenting mechanism which readily "lends itself for association with a topper device and comes into flange 3 reforming action with the latter.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better under-.-

stood from the following description, which, taken in connection-with the accompanying drawings,

35 discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

' Referring to the drawings: v

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a topping and vacuum closing machine embodying the instant invention, parts being broken away and other 40 parts shown graphically;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the left hand part of the machine as viewed in Fig. l, the view being taken substantially along theline 22 in that figure, parts being shown in section;

45 Fig. 3 is an enlarged=fragmentary sectional view showing one of the topper and flange reforming headsindetail; a

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the broken line 4-4 in Fig. 1;

50 Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken substan- In the machine disclosed in the drawings as exemplifying the instant invention, fllled containers or cans 11, having open top ends and the.

. usual outwardlytumed flanges b,are introduced into the machine in a-continuous procession by '5 a conveyor communicating with any suitable source of container supply. The conveyor delivers thecontainers or cans individually and successively into a continuously rotating star wheel which transfers them to a table and propels'them in anupright position along a curved guideway under a topping and can flange reforming mechanism;

While under this mechanism and while being propelled along the curved guideway a topper 7 head is moved down into theopen mouth of a can 'and compacts its contents, so that the mouth" of the can will be free for subsequent operations. Simultaneously 'with this topping operation the uppersurfaceof the flange surrounding the v mouth of the can is forcibly engaged by a ser-' rated plunger ring which is associated with the topper head. This action bends or'reforms the can flange into an undulated or corrugated form. having alternate depressions and high spots. Near the end of the curved guideway, the topper head andserrated ring are raised out of engagement with the can.

' .The can is now engaged by a feeding device which carries it under a cover feed mechanism on top of a lifter pad. The pad immediately lifts the can into a vacuum chamber containing a suitable seaming head for closing the can at the proper time. Before closing, however, the chamber is vacuumized and the air within the can is exhausted quickly and uniformly through the passages formed by the undulated can body flange in cooperation'with the cover flange; The can is.

. then closed by the usual seaming head which irons out the undulated flange and looks it in the can seam. This completes the operation and the lifter pad is then lowered to its original pofltion where the can is again en a ed by the feeding device and is carried out of the machine to any suitable placeof deposit. 7 5

A preferred form of machine embodying the invention disclosed in the drawings, comprises in part a can supporting table II (Figs. 1 and 4) which is horizontally curved at the feed in end, which is mounted on a pedestal II. The other end of the table is'substantially straight and is supported on a column I! having a base I (Fig. 1).

The cans are introduced into the machine ad- Jacent the curved end of the table II on a continuously moving endless belt conveyor i6. (Figs. 1, 2. 5 and 6). This end of the conveyor is carried on a pulley I! which is mounted on a shaft I! held in bearings l9 formed in the pedestal i2. The opposite end of the conveyor communicates with any suitable supply of filled cans such as a fllling machine or the like and is actuated from that end by any suitable means. Parallel guide bars 2i, 22 .conflne the cans on the conveyor as they are carried toward the table. 7

At thetable end of the conveyor (Fig. 5) can a encounters an end of a curved guide rail 23 which is mounted on top of the table. The guide' rail arrests are movement of the can in a straight direction and holds it in the path of an arm- 24 of a conti uously rotating star wheel 25. The star whee rests on top of the curved end of the table at i hub center and is keyed to avertical sleeve 26 hich passes-through the table and is .journaled n a bearing 21 formed in the top of the pedestal l2. The sleeve extends down into the pedestal anh tated by any suitable means.

The rotating arm 24 engages the can and sweeps it from the conveyor onto the. table II and propels it over the curved end. of the table under a topp g and can flange reforming mecha: nism and between the inner guide rail 23 and a cooperating'concentric outer guide rail 28. The latter is a curved extension of the rail 22 and is also secured to the top of the table ,I I.

The. topping and can flange reforming mechanism comprises a spider member 3! (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) which is formedwith a central elongated hub 32 which is keyed to the sleeve 28. The lower end of the hub rests on top of the starwheel and so spaces the spider above the tops of the cans. The spider is provided with a plurality of vertical bearings 31 corresponding in number to the arms of the star wheel and placed in vertical alignment with the axis of the cans traveling under them. Each'bearing carries a vertically sliding plunger rod ll having a shouldered lower end on which is mounted a bushing Ii (Fig. 3),. Theupper end of the bushing is flanged as at 36 v and the lower end carries a topping disc 31 (Fig. 3)

which is slightly smaller in diameter than the open mouth of the can and which is normally justabove it. v r

Can flange reforming heads I are carried on each of the bushings 3i and each of these heads comprise a hub .42 which is slidably mounted on the bushing between the flange I8 and the top-. ping disc. The lower end' of the head is formed with an inverted cup shaped member having a horizontal flange wall 43 extending out from the hub and which at its outer edge merges into a depending cylindrical wall 44. This wall surrounds and projects below the topping disc 31 in circumferential alignment with the can flange. The lower end of the wall M is enlarged and its bottom face is serrated with a pluralityof spaced tooth-like elements or'projeetions 45. A heavy coiled spring lleencirclesthe hub 42 and is interposed between the flange "and-flange wall 43 'at its lower end is continuouslyroand yieldingly holds the head u in engagement with the disc 31 when not in can flange reforming position. I

The topping discs 31 and reforming heads II are periodically lowered and raised into and out of engagement with the cans traveling under them by cam action. This is effected by a stationary barrel cam 5| (Fig. 4) which rests on' top of the spider member Ii and which is keyed and bolted to the upper end of a stationary shaft It. The shaft extends down inside of the sleeve 26 and is held at itslower end by any suitable means. Cam Si is provided with a suitable cam groove 52 which is cut in its periphery adjacent the bearings 13, .and which is engaged by cam rollers 58. The

rollers are mounted on projecting ends of studs 54 which are secured in each of the plunger rods 34 and which extend through slots 55 cut in the sides of the bearings 33. r

The upper end of each plunger rod 34 (Fig. 4) extends above its bearing 33 and carries a weight 51 whichcooperates' with its associated head ll in performing the can flange reformnig operation. The weight is formed with a central bore 5| which is closed at its topend. A set srcew 58 is threadedly secured in this end of the weight and is locked in position by a lock nut CI. The lower end of the screw projects into the upper end of the bore for cooperative action with a cap screw 62 threadedly secured in the top of each plunger rod 34. This action-will be fully 'explained hereinafter.

The weight slides on the end of the rod I4 in the bore 58 and is prevented from turning on the rod by a key 85 which is secured in a slot 66 formed in the bottom of each weight. One end of the,key engages within a keyway 61 cut in the rod .while the other end of the key extends be-- yond the slot and into the path of a stationary lift cam it. The cam is formed with an arcuated edge 89 which is beveled at one end as'at 1i and shape'oi the cam groove 62 causes the plunger rods to successively descend and lower the topping" discs into the open mouths of the moving cans. This action presses the can contents below the open can tops. Simultaneously with this action the reforming head ll associated with each topping device is lowered into position on top of the can flange where it remains under ten sion of the yielding spring 48 as the topping disc moves further down into the can. When the topping disc is in the can as far as it will go the upper end of the hub 42 engages the under side of the flange 30' providing a solid backing for the reforming head. By this time the can has been advanced to-a position approximately ohe half way around the curved end of the table.

Just prior to the full insertion of the topping disc into the can the key associated with the weight ll engages the beveled end of the cam Cl and it rides up on the cam edge It, raising the weight to a position illustrated in Fig.4. It

: remains in this position and is carried along over the top of the canuntil the topping disc 81 is fully inserted into the can. At this time, when the can is about half way around the curve of the QJ/Q/QBBQ. table as explained above, the key '5 reaches the end I! of the cam is and suddenly rides permitting the weight to fall in a sort of llotine or trip hammer action.

In failing the weight carries t e set screw 58 down into striking contact with t e cap screw 2 (Fig. 7) and the impact imparts a sudden concussion to the reforming head ll. This concussion drives the projections 45 into the can flange. reforming it into an undulated surface having alternate depressions ii and high spots or sections" (Fig. 3).

' This completes the topping and flange ing operation and while the can is propelled around the remaining curved part of the table the cam groove 52 raises the plunger 34, which in turn lifts the topping disc 31 and reforming head ll,

out of and away from the'top of the can. This action also raises the weight to a position where the key 55 is again in line with the beveled edge of the cam 68 in readiness for the next reforming operation.

As the can reaches the end of the curved section of the tab] H a moving finger 11 engages behind it and pu es it away from the starwheel 25 and along the remaining straight section ofthe table bet-ween rall'el and spaced guide bars l8, 18 (Figs. 1 a d 5). Bar 18 is an integral extension of the bar 23 while bar 19 is a separated cooperat I one end is carried on an idler sprocket 82 which is mounted on a vertical shaft 83. At its opposite end it is carried on a drive sprocket 84 which is mounted on a vertical shaft 85 which is continu ously rotated by any suitable means.

The cans moving along'the table are passed under'a can cover feeding device 81, which automatically drops a cover on top of each can as it passes. The cover lightly rests on top of the can flange b confining the contents-yet permitting being merely any exemplary type. This device comprises a bracket 88 which carries a plurality of vertical rods 89 which define a magazine for a stack of can covers 9!. The bracket is provided with an opening 92 directly under the magazine and through which individual covers are periodically released by a slide gage 93, disposed in'a slideway 94 formed in the bracket 88. The outer end of the gate is secured to the end of ari actuating lever 95. This lever is moved-by any suitable means in time with the other moving-parts of the machine and periodically withdraws the gate in time with the passage of the cans under it to release the lowermost cover from the magazine and deposit it on top of a passing can.

The hracket 88 is secured to the side of a housing 1M which is formed as a part of the column 13 and which overhangs the table II as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. This housing encloses a vacuum. chamber Hi2 which communicates with a suitable source of vacuum, through a pipe I03 threadedly secured in its side wall, and which houses a suitable can closing head I. The closing head may he of any suitable type such as a double seaming L reformedges, means for vacu device or the like having seam forming rollers ill.

This head is mounted on the end of a shaft II. which is journaied in a hearing I" formed in the top of the housing ill, the shaft being continuously rotated by any suitable means.

The bottom-of the housing is provided with an opening Ill having a sealing gasket Ill surrounding the edges defining the opening. It is under this opening thatthe can is positioned after leaving the cover feeding device, the can propelling finger 'II at this time being drawn back and halted in its forward conveying movement by cam action 7 which is ushal in this type of machine and well known in the art.

is in position one. lift pad H3 which is normally disposed in an opening 4 formed in the table H. The pad is connected with a vertical rod I carried in suitable bearings formed on the front of the column II. This rod is actuated when a can is in position on the pad; to raise the can up into the chamber I02 into engagement with the closing head. The pad in raised position contacts the sealing ring iii and thereby hermetically seals the chamber enclosing the can and its cover in a rarefied atmosphere.

The sealed chamber is rapidly vacuumized through the pine connection ill! and likewise the air inthe can -is quickiyand uniformly exhausted through the passages-or flange depres- J sions 14. The closing head I then hermeticaily seals the cover onto the can, the undulated can flange being ironed out smooth during this operation and incorporated in the can seam.

After this closing operation the lifter pad and closedcan are lowered to the level of the table ii and the finger 17 again moves into engagement with the can and pushes it along the table toward the discharge end where it is discharged advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof..

I claim:

1. In a can closing machine, in combination,

means for conveying an open top flanged can a through the machine, means for deforming the flange of said can by providing alternate high and low sections therein, means for superimposing a cover over the open can and in engagement with said deformedflange to provide spaced passages communicating with the interior of said.

can, means for vacuumizingsaid can through said low sections of said deformed flange, and means for uniting said cover with said can flange while the can is in a vacuumized condition.

, 2, In a can closing machine, in combination,

conveyor means for open top filled cans, a topping device arranged over the path of the cans and movable towards and away from the open ends of the latter, means associated. with said topping device for reforming the closing edges of said cans to provide fluid passages therein, means for positioning covers over the open ends of said cans in engagement with said reformed said cansthrough said passages, and means for uniting said covers a vacuumized oonditiom 3. A can flange reforming device, comprising in combination, a movable head, serrated bending elements formed on said head, means for moving said head into and out of yielding engagement with the flange of a positioned can, weighted means for forcibly moving said bending elements into engagement with said' can flange while said head is inposition on said can and for forming spaced undulations in said flange around a desired portion thereof, and means for actuating said weighted means in time with the movement of said head.

4. A can topping and flange reforming mechanism, comprising in combination, a movable topping disc insertable into a filled open end can havinga projecting flange, a movable head asso ciated with said disc, bending elements on said head, and means for moving said disc into the open end of said can for compressing its contents and also for moving said head and its associated bending elements into engagement with said can flange for bending said flange so as to provide a plurality of depressions therein.

-5. A can topping and flange reforming mechanism, comprising in combination a movable topping disc insertable into a fllled open end can having a projecting flange, a movable head yieldingly associated with said disc, bending elements on said head, means for moving said disc into the open end of said can for compressingits contents and for simultaneously. moving said head into yielding engagement with said can flange, and means for: further moving said head and for forcibly pressing said bending elements into said flange for effecting a plurality of high and low sections in the same.

6. A can topping and flange reforming mechanism, comprising in combination, a conveyor for moving open end filled cans provided with sealing flanges, a movable topping disc arranged over the path of travel of said cans, a movable; head associated with said disc,'bending.elements on said head, means for carrying said disc and said head over the top of a said moving can in time with said conveyor, and means for moving said disc and said, head into engagement with the open end of said can for compressing the contents of said can and for bending the can flange so as to provide a plurality of depressions therein.

7. A can end flange reforming device, comprising in combination, a reciprocating head rotatably mounted for bodily movement-in a circular path, means for rotating said head, a crimping die having peripheral serrations carried by said head, and means for moving said head and said die into crimping engagement with the end flange of a positioned open can during bodily movement of the latter in a path coinciding with the path of said head, for eflecting a plurality of depressions in said flange disposed outwardly relative to the can body wall.

8. A can end flange reforming device, comprising in combination, a movable head rotatably mounted for bodily movement ina circular path of travel, means for rotating said head, a crimping die having peripheral serrations carried by said head, means for-pos itioning said head and said die in superimposed engagement with the end flange of a positioned open can carried in a circular path of travel, and means for forcing said die into said can end flange while so engaged for effecting a plurality .of depressions therein disposed outwardly relative to the can body wall.

9. A can end flange reforming device, comprising in combination, a head mounted for bodily movement in said device, a crimping die having peripheral serrations associated with said head, means for bodilyrmoving said head in a predetermined path of travel over the top of and corresponding to the path of a bodily moving open can, means for moving said head into and out of engagement with the'top of said moving can, 

